Carter Family – Engine 143 lyrics

Along came the FFV the swiftest on the line
Running o'er the C&O road just twenty minutes behind
Running into Sevile head quarters on the line
Receiving very strict orders to get there just on time.

Georgie's mother came to him with a basket on her arm
She said my darling son be careful how you run
For many a man has lost his life in trying to make lost time
But if you run your engine right you'll get there just on time

Up the track he darted into the rocks he crashed
Upside down the engine turned and Georgie's breast did smash
His head was against the firebox door the flames were rolling high
I'm proud to be born an engineer and see my road to die.

The doctor said to Georgie my darling boy be still
Your life may yet be saved if it is God's blessed will
Oh no cried George that will not do I'd rather die so free
I want to die for the engine I love one hundred and forty three

The doctor said to Georgie your life cannot be saved
Murdered upon a railroad and laid in a lonesome grave
His face was covered up with blood his eyes they could not see
And the very last words poor Georgie said was nearer my God to thee